Year-round schools start Monday

August 1, 2008 3:06:39 PM PDT

CHICAGO --

Forty-one year-round schools across Chicago start classes on Monday. Friday, a special celebration was held at the Earle School, 6121 S. Hermitage, in the Englewood community as a fun reminder to mark the beginning of the new school year.

The Earle School is one of 23 that is making the switch from the traditional school year to the year-round calendar this year. The goal of the program is to prevent learning loss during summer months. But officials say there are many other benefits.

"The year-round calendar allows for our students to be in school and not on the streets during the heat of the summer. They're in a safe place," said Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, CPS chief education officer.

School officials are also handing out fliers in areas where there are year-round schools to remind students and parents of the start date.